NHL Player News

Podkolzin notched two assists, two shots on goal and seven hits in Monday's 4-3 win over the Ducks in Game 1.

Podkolzin ended the regular season on a three-game skid. He had a small breakout in 2025-26 with 19 goals and 37 points over 82 regular-season contests while often filling a middle-six role. He also produced 242 hits, 139 shots on net and 63 PIM to add some grit. Entering this postseason, he's earned 10 points over 24 career playoff outings, but he's in a position to be more involved this year.

Draisaitl logged two assists and two shots on goal in Monday's 4-3 win over the Ducks in Game 1.

Draisaitl missed 14 games due to a lower-body injury to end the regular season, denying him the chance to log a fifth straight 100-point campaign. He ended up at 35 goals and 97 points, as well as 186 shots on net and a plus-13 rating, over 65 regular-season appearances. Draisaitl has been a powerhouse in the postseason over recent years -- he has a total of 52 goals and 141 points over 96 playoff outings during previous campaigns, including a league-leading 33 points in 22 games during the 2025 postseason.

Hughes notched two assists and a plus-2 rating in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Stars in Game 1.

Hughes has three helpers and a plus-5 rating over the first two games of the playoffs. The 26-year-old will see significant playing time at even strength and on the power play throughout the Wild's playoff run. He's been good in his previous postseason performances, earning 26 points over 30 playoff outings across two runs with the Canucks. Hughes was among the top-scoring blueliners in the regular season with 76 points over 74 appearances.

Henrique (lower body) will not be an option for Game 2 against the Ducks on Wednesday, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports.

It remains to be seen if Henrique is facing an extended absence, but at a minimum, he'll be sidelined for Wednesday's game in Edmonton. Josh Samanski is expected to replace Henrique on the fourth line in Game 2, per Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton. Henrique's next opportunity to suit up will be when this first-round series shifts to Anaheim, which will be in Game 3 on Friday.

Lundkvist notched two assists and a plus-2 rating in Monday's 4-2 win over the Wild in Game 2.

Lundkvist, who signed a two-year contract extension on the eve of the playoffs, is filling a bottom-four role on the blue line to begin the postseason. This was his first multi-point outing since Opening Night against the Jets. He's had limited postseason experience, picking up just one assist over 12 playoff outings in his career. Lundkvist had 11 points, 46 shots on net, 48 blocked shots and a plus-12 rating over 52 regular-season contests this year.

Sanderson registered two assists, two shots on goal, three hits and four blocked shots in Monday's 3-2 double-overtime loss to the Hurricanes.

Sanderson led all players with 43:06 of ice time over nearly five full periods of hockey. He'll be forced into a lot of minutes since injuries continue to deplete the Senators' blue line. Sanderson racked up 14 goals, 54 points, 128 blocked shots and 147 shots on net over 67 regular-season outings. This is his second taste of the playoffs after earning three points over six postseason contests last spring.

Cozens scored a goal on three shots and added four hits in Monday's 3-2 double-overtime loss to the Hurricanes.

Cozens tallied at 16:40 of the second period, and that was the last goal for nearly three full periods. The center has earned nine points, 35 shots and 31 hits over his last 12 contests, so he'll likely continue to be an important part of the Senators' offense as they try to dig out of a 2-0 deficit in this first-round series. Cozens had 59 points in 82 regular-season outings this year, and he added 205 shots, 215 hits and 59 PIM to provide some grit with his offense.

Batherson scored a goal on three shots and added five hits in Monday's 3-2 double-overtime loss to the Hurricanes in Game 2.

Batherson has six shots and nine hits over two playoff contests. The 27-year-old winger is a lock for top-six minutes and power-play time. Batherson is in his second playoff run after racking up two points over six outings during the 2025 postseason. He had a career-high 71 points (30 on the power play) over 79 regular-season games this year.

Stankoven scored a power-play goal on five shots in Monday's 3-2 double-overtime win over the Senators in Game 2.

Stankoven is shining with three points over his first two games this postseason. He has gotten on the scoresheet in each of his last 10 games, earning nine goals and five helpers in that span, including five points on the power play. Stankoven had a 44-point effort over 81 regular-season contests while primarily centering the Hurricanes' second line, so he'll be counted on for key top-six minutes this spring.

Aho scored a goal on four shots in Monday's 3-2 double-overtime win over the Senators in Game 2.

The tally was Aho's first point in two games this postseason. He sat out three of the Hurricanes' last four regular-season contests, wrapping up the campaign with 80 points in 79 appearances. Aho's a near point-per-game player in past playoff runs, totaling 34 goals and 51 assists across 89 postseason contests in his career.